Candidates for down-ticket races in Ky. also raking in cash

FRANKFORT — While candidates for governor get the most attention, candidates for the state's other constitutional offices also are scrambling to raise campaign funds to get out their messages.

Big money is being raised in the May 17 primary elections for secretary of state.

The latest campaign finance reports show Lexington attorney Alison Lundergan Grimes raised $303,283 from Jan. 1 to April 15 in the Democratic race for secretary of state and had $256,347 on hand. Incumbent Elaine Walker of Bowling Green, who was appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear earlier this year, has taken in $100,420 total and had $78,769 on hand.

In the GOP primary for secretary of state, Todd County businessman Bill Johnson raised $13,146 for the latest reporting period — from Jan. 1 to April 15. His total contributions for the election amount to $23,116. Johnson reported $3,389 on hand.

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Johnson's opponent in the GOP primary, Hilda Legg of Somerset, missed the filing deadline with the state. The Registry of Election Finance said Wednesday afternoon it had not received her report, which was due by midnight Tuesday.

A penalty usually is associated with late filings. It is $50 for the first day and then $10 for each additional day.

Legg said in an interview that she regrets that her report missed the deadline.

"This is not acceptable to me. We will file it soon," she said.

In the Republican primary for state auditor, Lexington businessman John T. Kemper II raised $15,152 for the filing period and reported $19,327 in total receipts. He had $5,763 on hand.

Kemper's GOP challenger, state Rep. Addia Wuchner of Florence, has taken in $35,024 and has a balance of $23,362.

The winner between Kemper and Wuchner will face Democrat Adam Edelen in the November general election.

Edelen, former chief of staff for Beshear, raised $114,860 for the filing period. His cumulative amount for the election is $417,605. His balance is $328,761.

In the Democratic primary for state treasurer, incumbent Todd Hollenbach of Prospect reported $36,275 for the filing period and a cumulative amount of $46,509. He had $33,302 on hand.

Hollenbach's primary opponent, Christian County businessman Steve Hamrick, raised $5,560 for the filing period and $7,100 for the election to date. His ending balance was $776.

The winner of the Democratic primary for treasurer will face Republican KC Crosbie, a member of Lexington's Urban County Council, in November. She has raised $52,860 so far and reported $48,834 on hand.

The race for state agriculture commissioner has attracted the largest field.

In the Republican primary, the candidates and their campaign finances are:

■ State Rep. Jamie Comer of Tompkinsville. He reported $77,365 in receipts for this filing period, but did not state his total receipts for the election. He reported an ending balance of $152,758.

■ Shelby County Judge Rob Rothenburger of Shelbyville. He took in $8,680 for the filing period and has raised $31,555 for the election. His ending balance is $16,260.

In the Democratic primary, the candidates and their campaign finances are:

■ John Faris Lackey of Richmond. He has raised a total of $10,264 and had $1,394 on hand.

■ B.D. Wilson of Frankfort. He raised $78,675 in the filing period and a total of $127,450 for the election. His ending balance is $57,007.

■ Bob Farmer of Louisville. He reported a total of $15,941 for the election.

■ Stewart Gritton of Lawrenceburg. He reported a total of $20,044 in receipts and a balance of $10,691.

■ David Williams of Glasgow. He has told the registry that he will not be raising more than $1,000.

Democrat Jack Conway of Louisville, who is seeking re-election for attorney general, has raised a total of $129,857 and reported $115,046 on hand.

His Republican opponent, Todd P'Pool of Madisonville, collected $79,482 in the reporting period and reported a cumulative total of $352,132. That included a $250,000 loan. P'Pool's ending balance is $305,647. P'Pool's campaign announced Thursday that U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Louisville, will attend a fund-raiser for him next week in Madisonville.